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In the East African nation of Uganda, a new dress code directive issued by the government there is generating controversy.

According to the new guidelines, women working in public offices cannot wear clothes deemed too revealing.

The directive says women should refrain from wearing skirts or dresses that end above the knee, and should avoid wearing too much makeup or coloring their hair.

Advocacy groups say the government’s order violates workers’ rights to wear what they want, and as the country battles economic hardship, it’s likely to sow further division.

The code however did not leave men out. They too are affected.

Male workers in Uganda have been restricted from wearing tight clothing or sandals to work.

The government wants them to wear shirts with neck ties, and suits for those who can afford to purchase them.

The East African state is widely known as a conservative society. Although the new government directive is generating controversy, others support it.

This is not the first time that Uganda has come up with a controversial dress code policy.

In 2014 women activists protested legislation that sought to ban women from putting on short dresses, until it was reconsidered.

While public offices have been instructed to immediately enforce the new guidelines, it has not yet been put into effect.

Rights activists say they will work tirelessly to get the government to revise the policy so that people can enjoy their rights at work.